AN- I am not sure if this is finished as I do have a possible second part rolling round my head. I have posted as complete but the way my mind work I will probably find myself adding to it. I hope a certain lady like this as I know she loves this pairing.


I sat and watch you sleeping. You look so peaceful and content, a far cry from the screaming, sweat covered mess you were when I got here. You called me sobbing, incoherent as you tried to speak. I got here as quick as I could but still it was not quick enough. I hate it when you phone me and I come over to see you like this. Another case that caused nightmares to resurface. Seeing how bad you were after this episode makes me wonder why we do the job we do. Seeing the worst that the human race has to offer and we have to deal with it every day.

Seeing my tough, steadfast, highly trained kick ass agent fall apart and need holding like a child breaks my heart. You stir in your sleep and I still, waiting to see if the cycle will start all over again. Not this time though, you reach for me calling my name and I can't resist. I come closer and stroke you face to let you know I am still here. The corner of your mouth turns in a small smile as I touch your face. This is how it has become for us. You ring me and I come over. We stay like this on the couch till morning, sometimes I wake to find you in my arms but not as often as I should.

When you wake you thank me and get up to go about the day, we never discuss why I am here or what we will do about it. You block it out till night time when it all comes back again and I am back in the car on the drive over to comfort you. One day I will not be here to ease away your troubles so what will you do them?.

Who am I kidding about not being here, I care too much and too deeply to not be here. One of these nights I will give up on the pretence and come home with you and when you fall asleep I will carry you to bed and climb in by your side and hold you all night, making sure the nightmares don't get in. Yet now I lie back and rest my head watching you sleep, waiting for sleep to take me.

Waking next morning it's the same old routine. You thank me and we go our separate ways. We meet back at work and we carry on like the night events never happened. When we finish for the night we say our goodbyes knowing that when darkness falls no doubt I will see you again. We go to our own homes and I sit wondering what your doing. That's when I decide enough is enough. I pack an overnight bag and get in the car driving over to your place. I don't even bother knocking on the door when I get there as I have keys and just let myself in.

You're sitting at the table picking at you dinner not really eating it. You see me out the corner of your eye and look up, a little unsure why I am here. I walk up the table and take your hand making you stand up in front of me. I show you the overnight bag I have in my hand and I lead you down the hall and up the stairs to what I know is your bedroom.

I see the look on you face as we enter your bedroom and I put my bag on the floor next to the bed. Turning to look at you I take you in my arms like I have done so many times before yet this time feels different. You notice the change as well as you look at me.

"I will not spend another night pretending all is well when it's not. I will not be woke by a phone call and have to drive across town to hold you and make the nightmares go away. I will be here now and always and stop them before they start. I will fall asleep in your bed holding you keeping you safe. I will not spend another night apart for you unless you don't need me" I told her as I looked down at her and waited.

"Stay with me. I never had the courage to take this step as I wasn't sure you wanted it to. Now I see you do then I will never have to pretend that everything is okay when it's not. With you holding me every night I am sure my nightmares will never return as you will keep me safe" and with that she used her hand on my neck to bring my head down and kiss me. The was a gentle kiss full of promise at what the future might hold.

I told her to get ready for bed and I went to lock up down stairs. Coming back in I saw her lying in bed looking a little nervous as I approached the bed. Slowly I removed my clothes looking at her for any sign she wanted me to leave. When she never moved or said a word I pulled the covers back and climbed in beside her. I lay still waiting for her to make the first move which I didn't have to wait long for as she moved across the bed and curled her body around mine slotting her legs in mine and putting her head on my chest. Kissing her hair I ran my hand up and down her back till I felt her start to relax.

"Good night Meredith sleep tight" I said as I closed my eyes.

"Good night Dwayne, see you in the morning" she whispered back to me as we fell asleep wrapped together safe in each other's arms.